10/22/2013 |
Legends to be written? Cards, Sox can add to loreThere is no logical way to anticipate if a player from the Boston or St. Louis rosters will author a performance under the bright lights comparable to the feats of these October legends. What we can do is reach into the imagination to identify names that plausibly might emerge, factoring in the profiles of Kirk Gibson, Joe Carter and Josh Beckett.

10/22/2013 |
Hunter makes sure to spend time with four sonsTorii Hunter has hit and robbed plenty of home runs throughout his 17-year career. One of the highlights of his time in the big leagues, however, is sharing those moments with his four sons.

10/22/2013 |
Winter League roundup: Brentz aids EscogidoAll but one Escogido starter had a hit, with Bryce Brentz and Fernando Martinez leading the way with three RBIs apiece as Escogido rolled to a 12-4 win over Estrellas.

10/21/2013 |
Road to the World Series: Oct. 22, 2013As the Road to the World Series heads back to a familiar locale at Fenway Park, there is plenty of history to be found between the Cardinals and Red Sox that have been standouts in their respective leagues since the dawning of baseball time.

10/21/2013 |
Asked about Tigers' job, Gibson committed to D-backsAsk D-backs manager Kirk Gibson about the influence Jim Leyland had on his career, and he could talk all day long about him. Ask if he's interested in replacing him, and the conversation is much shorter: Gibson does not plan on going anywhere.

10/21/2013 |
Reds said to tab Price as next managerMultiple media reports surfaced on Monday evening that the Reds will name Bryan Price their new manager on Tuesday during a news conference. Efforts to contact Price and general manager Walt Jocketty were not successful, and the Reds have made no announcements.

10/21/2013 |
Leyland's retirement marks end of managerial eraJim Leyland announced his retirement on Monday. With Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Davey Johnson, Lou Piniella and La Russa also retiring since August 2010, baseball is exhausting one of the richest veins of managerial brainpower, creativity and orneriness in its history.

10/21/2013 |
The grand ol' game losing another beloved nameWith the World Series on deck and in the aftermath of riveting playoff series, we get this sad news about one of the most successful managers of our time. Not sad for him, but for us.

10/21/2013 |
Leyland receives universal admiration from peersJim Leyland announced Monday morning that the 2013 season was his last as the Tigers' manager, giving players, managers and everyone else across baseball an opportunity to recognize and appreciate all he accomplished during his 22-year managerial career.

10/21/2013 |
Waino vs. Lester a fitting Game 1 matchupBoth teams have officially announced what hardly needed to be said, declaring that it will be Red Sox lefty Jon Lester facing off against Cardinals righty Adam Wainwright in Game 1 of the World Series from Fenway Park on Wednesday night (7:30 ET air time, 8:07 first pitch on FOX).

10/21/2013 |
Red Sox won't alter approach against tough Cards 'penPerhaps the biggest difference the Red Sox will have to deal with this World Series compared what they saw in the American League Championship Series: a harder-throwing, more dominant bullpen. But don't expect any changes in the Red Sox's philosophy when the face the Cardinals.

10/21/2013 |
Kemp undergoes ankle surgery; return uncertainDodgers center fielder Matt Kemp underwent surgery on his damaged left ankle on Monday. The club said he is expected to be "competitive" in time for the regular season, but apparently not for Spring Training.

10/21/2013 |
Pedroia never lost faith during tough timesThere was the collapse of 2011. There was the season-long malaise of '12. That was Dustin Pedroia's opportunity to lose faith in the direction of the organization that drafted him in June 2004. Instead, the hard times only strengthened Pedroia's resolve and increased his desire to not just win again -- but to do so with the Boston Red Sox.

10/21/2013 |
Bucs played up to Hurdle's lofty expectationsWhen the Pirates reconvened in Pirate City for Spring Training in early February, manager Clint Hurdle was at a loss for words. A year earlier, he had already tried "Finish," after the Bucs' 2011 late-season collapse. So that was out. So, instead, Hurdle went for a number: "95."

10/21/2013 |
Tigers will miss manager who inspired themJim Leyland knew how to handle superstars, and he had a bunch of them at his different stops. But just as important, he knew how to manage the bench players and get the most out of them.

10/21/2013 |
Signing off: McCarver to call his final World SeriesTim McCarver was a little concerned about replacing a sports-broadcasting legend like Howard Cosell back in 1985, when he called his first World Series. Now McCarver is about to call his record 24th and final Fall Classic starting Wednesday night, when the Red Sox host the Cardinals in Game 1 on FOX, and the retiring Hall of Fame broadcaster is a little concerned about people making a big deal out of his swan song.

10/21/2013 |
Dominant in postseason, Lester draws Game 1 startJon Lester has pitched every type of Game 1 in his career except one -- the opener of a World Series. The lefty -- the man the Red Sox consider their ace -- will draw that honor on Wednesday night (7:30 ET air time on FOX/8:07 first pitch) in Game 1 against the Cardinals at Fenway Park.

10/21/2013 |
Fernandez named top NL rookie by Sporting NewsMarlins right-hander Jose Fernandez was named the National League Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News on Monday, finishing well ahead of the competition and perhaps foreshadowing more accolades to come.

10/21/2013 |
After quiet start, Ackley silenced his criticsAfter hitting just .205 and being sent down to Triple-A Tacoma in the first half of the season, Dustin Ackley hit a team-leading .304 with a .374 on-base percentage and .435 slugging percentage after the All-Star break to quiet critics who wondered if he'd ever develop into a key cog in Seattle's offensive attack, as was envisioned when he was selected with the second pick in '09.

10/21/2013 |
Mattingly unsure if he will return next seasonHurt by ownership's refusal to pick up a $1.4 million option a year ago, which manager Don Mattingly said made him a lame duck in the clubhouse, Mattingly emphasized that he "doesn't want to be somewhere he's not wanted."

10/21/2013 |
Cards' coaching staff has made seamless transitionLosing Tony La Russa, Mark McGwire and Dave Duncan would be a significant blow to any club, and a dropoff in success could be expected. But in St. Louis, where Mike Matheny, John Mabry and Derek Lilliquist took the reins, the Cardinals are right back where La Russa left them -- the World Series.

10/21/2013 |
Amaro close to hiring analytics expert for front officeRuben Amaro Jr. grabbed the attention of Phillies fans last month when he mentioned the team planned to hire an analytics expert to help with player evaluation. He said recently they are getting close to hiring somebody.

10/21/2013 |
Cabrera diagnosed with groin tear, may need surgeryThe long-running injury that hobbled Miguel Cabrera for the past few months finally has an official diagnosis: The three-time American League batting champion has a groin tear that is likely to require surgery.